FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2004

NUCLEAR REGULATORY CLOWNS (NRC) TO VISIT ILLINOIS STATE
Organized by Illinois State University SEAC

On April 1, 2004, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the corruption of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will be spotlighted by the Illinois State University chapter of the Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC). Students dressed as Nuclear Regulatory Clowns (NRC) will provide entertainment and dispense myths about nuclear power on the Illinois State Quad, while SEAC will be providing factual information dispelling these common myths. We will also supply information about the proposed expansion of the Clinton nuclear station located approximately 25 miles from Bloomington-Normal. Fake uranium “yellowcake” will be sold on the Quad as a fundraiser for further action against the proposed nuclear reactor at Clinton.

“The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is a joke, but not a very funny one,” says biology major Geoff Ower. The agency has the responsibility of regulating the nuclear industry, but they also promote it. This obviously is an inherent conflict of interest, and we oppose this fundamentally flawed approach. Due to this systemic bias, the industry’s financial security has been placed before public health and safety in many situations such as the recent near-disaster at the Davis-Besse station near Toledo, Ohio. Breaking four out of five of their safety regulations, the NRC allowed the Davis-Besse reactor to continue operation despite well-known flaws. We demand that this corrupt agency be reformed so that safety and science can guide public policy.

The event ties in with the National “Don’t Be Fooled By Fossil Fuels!” Day of Action, the SEAC National Youth Power Shift Campaign, and the newly formed Nuclear Reality Campaign (NRC). On April Fool’s Day, all across the United States and Canada there are one-hundred and four actions planned against dirty forms of energy, such as coal and nuclear. Wind and solar electrical generation combined with energy conservation and efficiency is the logical solution to our energy needs.

Event Organizers:
Geoff Ower, geoff@nukereality.org, (309)454-1836
Amy Butterworth, amy@nukereality.org, (309)454-1836

Organizations Represented:
SEAC, Illinois State University Chapter: http://www.nukereality.org
SEAC National Youth Power Shift Campaign: http://www.youthpowershift.org

Don’t Be Fooled By Fossil Fuels:
http://www.fossilfools.org